2_Carolina Panthers1

Philadelphia Eagles Gameday HQ

NFC SOUTH
PANTHERS
2014 STRENGTHS:
• Defensive front seven, dynamic quarterback,
consistent kicking game
Panthers Offense
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/GETTY IMAGES SPORT
Carolina Panthers fans only thought their team was
offensively challenged last season, when the team finished 18th
in scoring, 29th in passing and 26th in total offense—they did
finish 11th in rushing. Heading into 2014, they may want to
scale down offensive expectations, as there could be a drop-off in
firepower, especially by air.
There is good news in that fourth-year QB Cam Newton
finally got his left ankle surgically repaired and has two good
wheels for the first time since the middle of last season, or
since the end of his lone season as an Auburn Tiger, depending
on who you ask.
Newton will run better, better than the guys who are paid
to do so, veterans DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
While healthy, both are a year older and didn’t really move the
chains last season, with neither hitting 1,000 yards. Williams
came closest with 843 yards, 11th in the NFC, while Stewart
chipped in just 180.
Third down was good for the Panthers, as they ranked
second in the conference and fourth in the NFL with a 43.8
2014 WEAKNESSES:
• Offensive line hole at left tackle, unproven wide
receivers, shaky secondary
CAROLINA
percent conversion rate, but that, too, may change
this year, as three of the team’s top four receivers from
2013 are gone. Tops among the trio is locker room
leader and lightning rod Steve Smith. Newton still
has his go-to TE Greg Olsen, who led the team with 73
catches, 816 yards, and 6 TDs. Olsen will be Newton’s
security blanket as he builds chemistry with top draft
pick Kelvin Benjamin and veteran free agent pickups
Jason Avant (38, 447, 2 with Philadelphia), Jerricho
Cotchery (46, 602, 10 with Pittsburgh) and Tiquan
Underwood (24, 440, 4 with Tampa Bay), all of whom
ranked fourth in catches on their 2013 teams.
Up front, the retirement of Pro Bowler and lifetime
Panther Jordan Gross puts the entire front in flux.
Byron Bell, who struggled some at right tackle, is
slotted to move into Gross’ left tackle spot. Pro Bowl
center Ryan Kalil is the rock in the middle, but both
guard spots could be questionable, with third-round
pick Trai Turner seeing the field a good bit. Tight End
Ed Dickson, signed as a free agent, could lead to more
two-tight-end sets and will nicely complement Olsen.
Offensive Player to Watch
At 6-5, 240 pounds, Kelvin Benjamin was too big and too
strong for anyone to cover last season. He was the big target
for Heisman winner Jameis Winston and National Champion
Florida State, pulling in 54 passes for 1,011 yards and 15 TDs,
including the game-winner with 13 seconds left in the BCS
Championship Game to beat Auburn. Benjamin is not a blazer
but has deceptive speed and even when he can’t break free can
use his tremendous athleticism, size, 83-inch wingspan and
strong hands to pull balls in.
Panthers Defense
The defense, especially the front seven, was the main reason
the Panthers turned around a 1-3 start, winning 11 of their final
12 games to finish 12-4 and match the single-season franchise
record for wins. The unit held opponents to 20-or-fewer points
11 times in those 12 games, winning all 11 games, and grudgingly
Cam Newton